Benjamin E. Mays honored

Published: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 9:20 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 9:20 p.m.

Sterling McCollum was happy to take the stage at his alma mater Friday morning and look out on its current student body. He came to tell the Middle School of Pacolet about the school's original namesake, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, and his legacy.

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The Middle School of Pacolet held its eighth annual celebration in honor of Mays, an internationally recognized leader, minster, humanitarian, educator, philosopher and writer. The celebration was a chance to welcome back about 10 alumni of the B.E. Mays School, which opened in 1953 to African-American students in first through 12th grades and closed following the desegregation of schools. The school's original name is proudly displayed on the front of the building.

"I'm hoping students can appreciate the heritage," said McCollum, the event's keynote speaker and a 1964 graduate of B.E. Mays School. McCollum retired in 2008 after a 40 year career that included various human resources positions with Exxon Mobil, the Southland Corporation and the New York Times. "Even though they'll only be here for three years, later on they can be proud of the fact that they attended a school with the legacy of Dr. Mays."

Middle School of Pacolet's Black History Club organizes the annual program, which is both an opportunity to honor Mays and bring the school's former students together. Eighth-grader D'Marco Jackson, MSP student body president and Black History Club member, said it's also a chance for current students to better understand the school's history.

"We're lucky to have these people here every year. It's very interesting. I hope I can come back one day," he said. "I think (Mays) is a smart, educated African-American who provided a lot for us and this school."

McCollum, who currently lives in Huntersvile, N.C., told students about Mays' role in the civil rights movement and of his years as an education leader. He recalled watching Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech on television as a student at B.E. Mays, then listening to Mays give the closing benediction. As a student at South Carolina State University, McCollum watched the funeral services for King, and Mays offered the eulogy. It was then that McCollum said he began to understand Mays' true impact.

With Mays in mind, McCollum urged students to dream big and believe in themselves. He told them to respect themselves, and be respectful of others. McCollum asked them to make good choices in life.

"This is a good opportunity to help instill some of Mays' wisdom in (students)," said Middle School of Pacolet Principal Max Deaton. "They see the sign out front, but they don't always know the meaning behind it."

To close the event, B.E. Mays alumni sang the school's alma mater, then stayed for a reception.

"It means a lot. We celebrate getting together," said Spartanburg resident Dorothy Smith Pruitt, a 1959 graduate. "We like to be role models for the students. We want them to be successful like we have been and to celebrate Dr. Mays' legacy."

<p>Sterling McCollum was happy to take the stage at his alma mater Friday morning and look out on its current student body. He came to tell the Middle School of Pacolet about the school's original namesake, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, and his legacy.</p><p>The Middle School of Pacolet held its eighth annual celebration in honor of Mays, an internationally recognized leader, minster, humanitarian, educator, philosopher and writer. The celebration was a chance to welcome back about 10 alumni of the B.E. Mays School, which opened in 1953 to African-American students in first through 12th grades and closed following the desegregation of schools. The school's original name is proudly displayed on the front of the building.</p><p>"I'm hoping students can appreciate the heritage," said McCollum, the event's keynote speaker and a 1964 graduate of B.E. Mays School. McCollum retired in 2008 after a 40 year career that included various human resources positions with Exxon Mobil, the Southland Corporation and the New York Times. "Even though they'll only be here for three years, later on they can be proud of the fact that they attended a school with the legacy of Dr. Mays."</p><p>Middle School of Pacolet's Black History Club organizes the annual program, which is both an opportunity to honor Mays and bring the school's former students together. Eighth-grader D'Marco Jackson, MSP student body president and Black History Club member, said it's also a chance for current students to better understand the school's history.</p><p>"We're lucky to have these people here every year. It's very interesting. I hope I can come back one day," he said. "I think (Mays) is a smart, educated African-American who provided a lot for us and this school."</p><p>McCollum, who currently lives in Huntersvile, N.C., told students about Mays' role in the civil rights movement and of his years as an education leader. He recalled watching Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech on television as a student at B.E. Mays, then listening to Mays give the closing benediction. As a student at South Carolina State University, McCollum watched the funeral services for King, and Mays offered the eulogy. It was then that McCollum said he began to understand Mays' true impact.</p><p>With Mays in mind, McCollum urged students to dream big and believe in themselves. He told them to respect themselves, and be respectful of others. McCollum asked them to make good choices in life.</p><p>"This is a good opportunity to help instill some of Mays' wisdom in (students)," said Middle School of Pacolet Principal Max Deaton. "They see the sign out front, but they don't always know the meaning behind it."</p><p>To close the event, B.E. Mays alumni sang the school's alma mater, then stayed for a reception.</p><p>"It means a lot. We celebrate getting together," said Spartanburg resident Dorothy Smith Pruitt, a 1959 graduate. "We like to be role models for the students. We want them to be successful like we have been and to celebrate Dr. Mays' legacy."</p>